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10 Shows Like Mr Robot For Fans Of Psychological Suspense-Thrillers

December 12, 2022
shows like mr robot

MrRobot, a suspenseful cyber-thriller, earned great success with its timely stories and intriguing and provocative premise. If like us, you are a massive fan of this TV series, we have put together a list of brilliant shows similar to Mr Robot, be sure to check them out. When Mr Robot first aired, everyone was intrigued by the character of Elliot (Rami Malek). In the series, Elliot is a brilliant and highly unstable cyber-security engineer who is also a vigilante hacker at night. The contrast between the personality of being one thing, a ‘normal’ guy in front of the world and totally the opposite in secrecy became the key feature in the complex storytelling. Elliot is not only brilliant but an introverted individual whose presence challenges the psyche of humans. 

List of TV Shows Like Mr Robot

  1. Severance
  2. Black Mirror 
  3. Mindhunter
  4. Hannibal
  5. Counterpart
  6. Homecoming
  7. 12 Monkeys
  8. Humans
  9. Orphan Black
  10. Dexter

Here’s Why These 10 TV Shows are like Mr Robot

1. Severance (2022)

 A biotechnology corporation, Lumon Industries, uses a ‘severance’ medical procedure to separate the non-work memories of some of their employees from their work memories. One severed employee, Mark, gradually uncovers a web of conspiracy from both sides of the division.

Severance has a similar unsettling mental vibe and uses stark cinematography to really manipulate the viewer’s emotions. The puzzle box mysteries attracted fans who feverishly speculated online. These shows spawned an entire industry built on watching a project solely to see if a prediction, no matter how tame or ludicrous, panned out. Severance is at the top of our choice for series like Mr Robot and should be yours too! 

2. Black Mirror (2011)

Black Mirror is a very popular Netflix anthology series known for its near-future dystopian speculative stories driven by the advancement of science technologies. Every episode is a new story, a new cast, and directed by a new person. While you may not like every single one of the episodes, some of the episodes will leave a strong effect on you.

Black Mirror features many talented artists like Anthony Mackie, Andrew Scott and Jodie Foster (Directed by Arkangel). Be Right Back, USS Callister, and Playtest are some of my personal favourites since they highlight the themes of grief, obsession/mental captivity and losing memory or holding on to reality. Such kinds of episodes are sure worth a watch if you want to watch shows like Mr Robot. 

Also Read: Shows like True Detective

3. Mindhunter (2017)

Produced by the iconic David Fincher along with Charlize Theron and Penhall, the psychological crime thriller Mindhunter is based on the 1996 book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit written by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker ( former special agent). Their experiences inspired the show. For years, John pursued extremely notorious serial killers and rapists and, along the way, developed profiling techniques to catch them.

Mindhunter is absolutely outstanding in every respect. Extremely well-directed with meticulous attention to detail- the mid to late ‘70s. The show is a tour de force in the field of criminal psychology. The combination of the academic relative rookie who wants to get inside the minds and motivations of serial killers is juxtaposed with the world-weary hard-bitten veteran FBI agent. A gripping show like Mindhunter is worth a watch if you are in search of shows similar to Mr Robot. 

4. Hannibal (2013)

Hannibal series is based on Thomas Harris’ novels Red Dragon, Hannibal and Hannibal Rising and the second show in this list (like Bates Motel) to have a classic film as its inspiration. The iconic character of Dr Hannibal Lector (Mads Mikkelsen) in the Hannibal series has more in common with Harris’ books than the Silence of Lambs. Still, many elements of the movie have inspired the show.

Dr Hannibal Lector is a former psychiatrist turned serial killer and probably the most horrifyingly intriguing fictional character ever written. This American psychological horror series does not shy away from gory imagery, and it’s these extremely powerful visuals that really make it stand out. Dr Lectoris sure to remind the viewers of Norman Bates and which is why if you’re looking for shows like Mr Robot, then watching Hannibal is a perfect pick for you. 

5. Counterpart (2017)

Counterpart is a Sci-fi thriller TV series created by Justin Marks, and it follows the Academy award-winning actor J. K. Simmons as the central character Howard Silk. In a universe where there are parallel Earths, Harold is an office worker who has been working for the United Nations agency, Office of Interchange (OI), for over 30 years. Harold engages in mindless tasks in this company which sees over the checkpoints of the Parallel Earths: Alpha and Prime.

The parallel worlds came about in 1987 in an experiment in East Germany, the scientist present during the occurrence begins to interact with his parallel self to understand the divergence. As time goes by, certain events like a pandemic in the Prime world completely change the advancements of the two worlds, and differences create a cold war between the two. This thrilling and deeply complex story of Counterpart is compelling to watch. Counterpart is one of the best new TV shows like Mr Robot that you can watch. 

6. Homecoming (2018)

The highly acclaimed Hollywood actress Julia Roberts’ Homecoming series is based on the Gimlet Media podcast of the same name. The series follows Heidi (Julia) years after working at a facility helping soldiers transition to civil life. This facility helps veterans not only manage their PTSD but actually claims to be able to cure it.

In recent years, podcast adaptations have become popular, but this one is one of the best of the lot. Homecoming is a well-developed, superbly written show with some exceptional acting. This series is so engaging that it’s easily on top of my recommendations if you enjoy psychological shows like Mr Robot. 

7. 12 Monkeys (2015)

12 Monkeys is a Tv series version of the Bruce Willis movie of the same name. If you’ve seen the movie, then you’ll be familiar with the premise– James, a scavenger in the year 2043, has to travel back in time– (in the show– the year 2015) in order to prevent the contagion of a deadly plague. To be successful, he has to destroy the Army of the 12 Monkeys who released the virus.

As a sci-fi genre fan, 12 Monkeys is an unmissable watch. The story, cast, music, and production design are all truly amazing. The show teases you until you wait for an ending, and when you’re at the end, there’s always something more to look forward to, and you always like looking forward to the next episode. It’s always hard to guess what comes next, regardless of how many shows you’ve seen. If you want to watch great TV series like Mr Robot, 12 Monkeys should be a perfect fit.

Also Read: Shows like Bates Motel

8. Humans (2015)

The series focuses on the social, cultural, and psychological impact of the invention of anthropomorphic robots called “synths”. It explores a number of science fiction themes, including artificial intelligence, consciousness, human-robot interaction, superintelligence, mind uploading and the laws of robotics.

Joe buys a highly-developed robot, a refurbished Synth to help his wife, Laura, out in the house. What none of them predicts are the consequences of Synth’s impact on their lives. A fantastic show that could have gone on for much longer, but like many, has been left short and sweet. Really loved this series. Many “what happens next” moments where you can’t stop watching because you want to know more. The way everything connects together from the past or future is so entertaining. For great shows similar to Mr Robot, you should consider watching the fan favourite Humans.

9. Orphan Black (2013)

A streetwise hustler is pulled into a compelling conspiracy after witnessing the suicide of a girl who looks just like her. SPOILER: Orphan Black follows outsider, orphan and street-wise chameleon Sarah. After witnessing a woman’s suicide, Sarah assumes the stranger’s identity – who happens to look just like her.

Sarah Manning is a single mum with a drug dealing and off boyfriend. One night, she is at a train station and sees herself jump in front of an oncoming train. She runs off with her belongings, later finding out the woman is a cop called Beth Childs. At first, Sarah takes her identity and assumes that she must be a long-lost sister. But there is A LOT MORE going on, which she discovers. Her discovery opens an unprecedented conspiracy that is truly mind-blowing. If you especially loved Rami’s performance in series like Mr Robot then you will appreciate Tatiana in Orphan Black as well.

10. Dexter (2006)

Running for 8 seasons, the super popular show Dexter is the perfect example of Mr Robot’s double life. Dexter Morgan is a forensic technician for the police department by day and a killer by night. At the centre of the show is an anti-social misfit who lives his life according to the rules of his father, he has the inability to form relationships with the opposite sex, has to wear a social mask and has a job doing the exact opposite thing that you do in your spare time, all sounds too familiar, doesn’t it? 

In shows like Mr Robot and Dexter, you find yourself rooting for and identifying with the worst human on the show. Dexter is a serial killer who likes to torture, and Elliott is a hacker who helps destroy the economy, yet both are very compelling protagonists for a television show. Dexter is one of my favourites to binge-watch. There’s lots of humour, weirdly relatable situations and gory, dark yet entertaining suspense of ‘will he get caught?’. You’ll be on the edge of your seats in each and every episode of dexter.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few shows like Mr Robot that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Legion
  2. Altered Carbon
  3. Person of Interest
  4. Bodyguard
  5. Utopia
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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